Which phones support eSIM?
Most phones from 2019 onwards support eSIM: iPhone XS, XR and later, Google Pixel 3 and later, and Samsung Galaxy S20 and later. Dial *#06#: if you see an EID, your phone takes eSIMs.
Do this now
- Open your phone's keypad.
- Dial *#06#.
- Look for a line called EID. If it's there, your phone supports eSIM.
- Check your phone is unlocked too, then pick your plan.
The quick check
Dial *#06# on your phone. If the screen shows an EID (a long number), your phone supports eSIM. That's the fastest test there is.
Phones that take an eSIM
- iPhone: XS, XS Max, XR and every iPhone since, including the iPhone SE (2nd generation and later).
- Google Pixel: Pixel 3 and later.
- Samsung Galaxy: S20 and later, the Z Fold and Z Flip range, and many recent A-series phones.
- iPad: Wi-Fi + Cellular models from recent years.
Our full list, brand by brand, is on the eSIM phones page.
Watch for the country it was sold in
A few models sold in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao use two physical SIM slots instead of eSIM. If you bought your phone in the UK, Europe or the US, you're almost certainly good to go.
Two more things to check
Your phone must be unlocked, so it accepts a SIM from any network. Our guide shows how to check if your phone is unlocked in under a minute.
Then choose your destination, for example Japan, and pick how much data you want. Not sure? Our guide on how much data you need helps you choose in a minute.
Does my phone need to be new to use an eSIM?
No. Most phones from 2019 onwards support eSIM, including the iPhone XS and XR, Pixel 3 and Galaxy S20.
What is an EID?
It's your phone's eSIM ID number. If dialling *#06# shows one, your phone can install eSIMs.
Can I use an eSIM on an iPad?
Yes, on Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad models. See our iPad install guide for the steps.
